Yaamanga Around Here, Yarilla Arts and Museum

The museum needed to tell the unique stories of Coffs Harbour and the community whilst helping unite a new arts precinct designed by BVN architects. Our scope included working with the architects to refine the building design to best service the exhibition’s requirements and ambitions. Rather than yet another regional history museum, the incredible collection of objects and stories called for a contemporary exhibition that leaned into the personality of the Coffs region. It also needed to include a celebration of Gumbaynggirr country that would go beyond acknowledgement and joyously sing the songs of Country.

The design is infused with the humour of Coffs Harbour and celebrates the weird and wonderful objects of the collection, making it uniquely “Coffs” in flavour – colourful, playful and a bit quirky. Rather than avoiding stereotypes, the exhibition leans into them drawing visitors into an entertaining experience and then revealing lesser-known stories. A central touch table orients visitors in the region before exploring the themes of Harbour, Headlands and Hinterland at their own pace. Visitors are welcomed by Daalga Nginundi Wajaarr Sing Your Country, a filmic celebration of Country created by ZAKPAGE films in collaboration with the local community.

The design has elevated the museum to more than a historical collection – it’s an inviting space and a centre for creativity and sharing. This is a true transformation of the museum experience, from a small installation of disconnected objects in a historic home to a cultural centrepiece and celebration of local culture. The exhibition design has created an integrated arts precinct that is the heart of Coffs Harbour’s cultural community. The museum is a drawcard for local visitors and tourists, attracting over 34,000 visitors in the first six months – close to the museum’s annual target of 45,000.

The cinematic Welcome to Country examines belonging, loss and connection. Created by Alison Page and Nik Lachajczak of ZAKPAGE with the Gumbaynggirr people, this is an evocative piece of storytelling that moves through Country guided by song and language. The central touch table, People and Place helps orient visitors in the space and the region. Using the interactive map, visitors can dive into physical and cultural landscapes or explore layered history. Hidden moments of delight can be triggered, taking over the display with local characters, sights and sounds. Harbour/Gaagal explores the significance of the coastline to the Gumbaynggirr and colonial settlement, and the opportunities and vulnerabilities of coastal life. Headlands embraces the aesthetic and sensual pleasures of coastal life. A profusion of souvenirs track changes in tourism and leisure activities over time through playful vignettes and object collages. Hinterland is the largest of the thematic exhibits that considers First Nations use of the forests, local agriculture and the ubiquitous banana. To honour the museum’s extensive collection without losing the lens of personal storytelling, the central space is surrounded by a perimeter wall showcasing a mass display of objects and oddities woven together by the threads of local stories.